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NewsDay

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Zim year-end tourist arrivals decline

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ZIMBABWE tourist arrivals for the period ending December 31 were down 26% to 1 794 230 due to a slowdown in the economy, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has said.

ZIMBABWE tourist arrivals for the period ending December 31 were down 26% to 1 794 230 due to a slowdown in the economy, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has said.

Report by Victoria Mtomba

The decline comes at a time when critics say capital constraints triggered by lack of clarity on country’s empowerment laws compelling foreign companies to sell 51% stakes to locals has slowed down economic growth.

Already, major mining companies and manufacturing sector firms have partially complied with the regulations as government turns the heat ahead of the forthcoming elections.

This decline is, however, contrary to the current global tourist arrival trends which have grown though marginally by 4%.

According to the ZTA 2012 annual report, although South Africa remains the major source market for Zimbabwe, concerns are on its market share which fell to 46% from 64% in 2011.

“This calls for serious addressing of problems being faced at Beitbridge border post particularly because most of the arrivals from South African come through this port,” reads the report in part.

“Increases from the few markets especially those within the Sadc region (DRC, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia & Tanzania) can be attributed to cross border business trips within the region, these being mostly indirect transits more so for Malawi, DRC and Zambia.”

Of the 1 794 230 tourist arrivals into Zimbabwe in 2012, Africa contributed 87% followed by the Europe (6%), the Americas (3%) and Asia (2%).

Average hotel room occupancy level in the local hospitality sector according to the ZTA averaged 46%.

The report from the ZTA shows that hotels and lodges in Harare, Midlands, Masvingo and Bulawayo performed better compared to Mutare, Victoria Falls and Beitbridge.

“Occupancies in the Midlands region registered a leap of 27 percentage points. This was mostly owing to the activities of local workshops held by the health, education and social sectors in addition to other government conferences,” reads the report.